NFL Odds Week 18: Falcons vs Saints Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Week 18 of the NFL season continues with a matchup that could potentially create a three-way tie atop the NFC South standings as the Atlanta Falcons visit the New Orleans Saints. The betting odds see New Orleans as a 3.5-point favorite after posting a huge win over Tampa Bay last week. Coverage begins from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, January 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 18: Falcons vs. Saints lines, spreads, betting trends and more.

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Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints Odds

• Opening point spread: Saints -5
• Opening moneyline: Saints -185/Falcons +155
• Opening total: Over/Under 41.5 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: The Saints went from -4 to -3.5 Monday and -3 Tuesday in BetMGM's NFL odds Week 18 market. Wednesday brought a rebound to New Orleans -4 (even). The Saints fell back to -3 Friday and remain there this morning.

New Orleans is taking 60% of spread bets, while 61% of spread cash is on Atlanta.

The total went from 41.5 to 42.5 and back to 41.5, all on Tuesday. It's now at 42, with 63% of bets/80% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Both these teams need to win in Week 18, and even that might get either a postseason bid. New Orleans opened -4 in TwinSpires' NFL Week 18 odds market and made a stop at -3.5 on the way to -3.

This afternoon, though, the Saints rebounded to -3.5 (even). New Orleans is getting 73% of spread bets, while 56% of spread cash is on Atlanta.

"It's Pros vs. Joes. The Pros are siding with the Falcons, grabbing +4," Lucas said.

The total crept from 41.5 to 42, with 63% of bets/72% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET SUNDAY: New Orleans (8-8 SU/5-10-1 ATS) kept itself alive for the NFC South title with a big Week 17 road win. The Saints built a 20-0 lead and coasted to a 27-13 victory getting 2.5 points vs. Tampa Bay.

New Orleans is 3-1 SU and ATS in its last four games.

Atlanta (7-9 SU/5-11 ATS) had control of the NFC South a month ago. But an ill-timed 1-3 SU and ATS skid has turned the tables. In Week 17, the Falcons were never really in at Chicago, losing 37-17 as 2.5-point pups.

"We think at this point, the power rating for New Orleans is much higher. And the Saints looked really good against Tampa today," Michaelson said. "We're a little higher than the market right now, and we've actually been bet down. We just have very little faith in this Atlanta team. Another uninspired effort today in Chicago.

"Whoever wins would need Tampa to lose at Carolina in order to get into the playoffs."

As Michaelson alluded to, The SuperBook opened the Saints -5 tonight and dipped to -4.5 shortly thereafter. The total is steady at 41.5.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 18 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Falcons vs Saints Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Check back soon for picks!

Pick: TBD

For more NFL picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 18: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Falcons vs Saints

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Check back soon for betting stats!

For more NFL betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Week 18 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson